carmax experience?
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carmax experience?
I'm looking to sell my car and I was curious if anyone has gone through the Carmax inspection process and know what it entails. I'm a little hesitant to give them the keys and watch it disappear for 30 mins. is this the case?
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From: FLORIDA, ITALIA, ARGENTINA
2016 E63 AMG-S, 2007 FERRARI 430, 2001 JEEP WRANGLER 60TH ANNI. EDITION SOLD 2011 E550 4matic
never used them, and if you I would private seel. I boycott anything with annoying commercials.
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
It's been a while since I got an appraisal from them but they do most of it out in the parking lot. They didn't drive it offsite IIRC. It's nice to have an offer in your pocket as you explore other avenues for sale. GLWS.
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2024 GLS580; 2019 E450 4M Coupe; 2019 Lexus ES350
I've had this done once earlier this year. They do a walk-around of the car and take it for a 5-10min test-drive to make sure it's running properly. I requested to be in the car during the test drive and it wasn't a problem for the inspector. The process was pretty painless but the offer sucked.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
They only drive it quickly as mentioned, they don't lift the car or do anything crazy, and you can accompany the appraiser if you are worried. They gave me a little bit of a low offer on my 350Z but I was able to get rid of it, get a check same day, and didn't have to return things to stock that they didn't know about. Wasn't the most money I could have probably gotten for the car, but how much time do you want to sit on the car waiting for a buyer while it continues to depreciate further?
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Mercedes and BMW
I just used them 2 months ago for my 2012 immaculate E350 sedan I sold to them. My car was so clean the appraiser didn’t drive my car or get into the drivers seat. I had 26.5k miles and had every service record including my recent oil change and B service since I bought it in 2015. As Joe said, you could accompany them to make sure they don’t do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Negative experience
took my car in to get an appraisal a few years back , ca was worth around a 20k and they only offered me 13ish. I thought it was a joke took my document and left.
i know its just an appraisal , and have nothing to do with your situation , but
after that , my impression about Carmax isnt good. And this has .has ruined it. My 5 cents.
took my car in to get an appraisal a few years back , ca was worth around a 20k and they only offered me 13ish. I thought it was a joke took my document and left.
i know its just an appraisal , and have nothing to do with your situation , but
after that , my impression about Carmax isnt good. And this has .has ruined it. My 5 cents.
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2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2016
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Thanks for all the replies!!!!! this is exactly the info i'm looking for. I feel better about going there now.
Like italianjoe, I willing to take a lower offer for the convenience they provide.
also I'm going to look at the site raja suggested.
Like italianjoe, I willing to take a lower offer for the convenience they provide.
also I'm going to look at the site raja suggested.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Las Vegas
2012 E350 sedan
Many dealers will beat a CarMax offer
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From: Fredonia, WI
2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
I also thought the offer they presented on my W204 was a joke. I sold it myself for much more than their offer. Anyway, I understand the "ease" factor that carmax provides.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
All this negativity about Carmax I don't understand. I've sold three cars to Carmax and gotten nearly a thousand dollars more on each car than the trade-in offer from the dealer. Different make/model of cars, all with under 80,000 miles each. All non-smoker cars.
I had a friend (a smoker) who took his 15 year-old W202 MB to Carmax and was offered less, because it had 117,000 miles. Lesson is don't expect the best offers on older cars with more than 100,000 miles that smell like a coal power plant.
I don't know anybody, nor am I related to anyone who works at Carmax. I've simply gotten better than expected offers from them.
I had a friend (a smoker) who took his 15 year-old W202 MB to Carmax and was offered less, because it had 117,000 miles. Lesson is don't expect the best offers on older cars with more than 100,000 miles that smell like a coal power plant.
I don't know anybody, nor am I related to anyone who works at Carmax. I've simply gotten better than expected offers from them.
Last edited by DFWdude; Oct 24, 2018 at 03:14 PM.
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From: Marin County,California
2016 E350 Sedan
I sold them my 2012 BMW and then bought my 2016 MB E-350. The process was seamless,walked out with a check an hour later. No negotiating. Didn't have to do a private sale and worry that the car might fail the buyers expectations. I may have gotten a few dollars less,but no advertising no dickering and no interaction with the next owner.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
All the disappointments with the offers makes me thing CAR MAX is a good place to go buy a car. They seem to have lots of negotiating room with the pricing if their offers to buy is so much lower than others...?
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
That's the beauty of their scam. They DON'T negotiate. They sell the cars at full retail, and buy below wholesale. That's why they grow at the rate they do, it's a fantastic business model.
